Friday Night Fanstand

RR SQT Preview: Pool B

Pool B revs up the Round Rock/McNeil rivalry early. The Mavs and Dragons will familiarize themselves as they prep for their regular season game on October 19th (Mavericks' homecoming). Connally may be a 4A team, but will prove they can hold their own with 5A on turf. Orlado Thomas is no longer with Cove, but they'll field a competive group. Pool B kicks off at 9am on Dragon Stadium turf. Here's our preview:

Round Rock Dragons (District 16-5A, Head Coach: Jeff Cheatham)

The Dragons keep it 'all the family' as Tyler Gerds (little brother of last year's starting QB, Garrett) takes the QB reins. A healthy Sam Lawliss returns to make the Dragons legit. A bevy of proven underclassmen return with Varsity stripes. We'll get to see one of the area's best corners in Brandon Bullock. We'll keep the film rolling.

We recently visited the Mavericks spring camp, and this team is pumped. They made a trip to the State tournament in College Station in 2011, and could repeat this Summer. It looks like a QB tandem of Colton Russell and Jordan Robinson. Both will get needed pass reps with speedsters Ryan Murphy/Nick Parinella. We'll get our first look as Zach Vaughan transitions from defensive end to safety. Skill players like Donnie Holmes, Matt Zebrowski and Joseph Miele make McNeil a threat to win it all on May 26th.

The core of a playoff-bound team is in place. QB Dajon Williams and RB Dae Payton are now the elder statesmen in the locker room. Their maturity could fuel a 4A run to remember. LB Michael Egwaugu will get a chance sharpen his footwork while defending the pass. The Cougars were one of the highest scoring units during last year's Summer sessions, and should have similar success in Pool B.

After running into Rowlette in the postseason, Copperas can't wait to get back on the field. Thomas is gone, but the King may take the throne. Vondereaz King was the only sophomore on Varsity last year, and for good reason. He'll be fun to see up close at Dragon Stadium. Cove will come to play, so our Austin-area teams will need to be on their toes. Key in on the following players:

Pool B Projections: This is the biggest toss up Pool of the four that take the field on May 26th. We tend to say McNeil, because they have 'been there, done that' in a state qualifying tournament. The skill players at Round Rock are too good to ignore. Connally excels in this arena, and Copperas Cove won't make the long drive to simply lay down. May the best team win...